From palaces to castles, the best shows to dig out ideas
WHETHER you want to stock up plants or are looking for clever ideas to transform your plot, there’s nothing like a gardening festival. Here are six of the best taking place this summer.
Blenheim Palace Flower Show
Held in the shadows of an imposing palace built for the 1st Duke of Marlborough in the early 18th Century, this event boasts a ‘grand floral pavilion’ with many specialist nurseries offering everything from carnations to cacti, while those looking for tools, pots and ornaments will find plenty on offer outdoors. Among the show gardens is Polli-night-ors, a plot designed by Hayley Poole that aims to show how to attract nocturnal pollinators with scented and pale flowers. ● June 24 to 26 (blenheimflowershow.co.uk)
The Belvoir Castle Flower & Garden Show
This pageant, staged on the banks of a lake with views towards a spectacular yellow ironstone castle that rises above woodland, features plenty of inspiration in the shape of demonstration borders and show gardens, and has lots of opportunity to shop for plants, tools, furniture and all manner of gardening goodies.
The ‘Let’s Talk’ area will give visitors the chance to put their gardening conundrums to a range of experts, including garden designer David Stevens, winner of 11 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show. ● July 16 to 17 (belvoircastle flowerandgardenshow.co.uk)
Chorley Flower Show
Described by its organisers as ‘The Chelsea of the North’, this extravaganza takes place in the shadows of Astley Hall, a stately pile built in the 17th Century by the Charnock family.
Now in its seventh year, the show boasts plenty of shopping options, a gardening theatre and some mini show gardens that have been created by schools and community groups.
There are opportunities for attendees to take part in competitions, covering everything from finest standard fuchsia to best beetroot. ● July 29 to 31 (chorleyflowershow.com)
RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show
Developed by the Royal Horticultural Society since 1993, the 28-acre garden on the outskirts of Chelmsford will boast 60 nursery and trade exhibits, plant displays and practical gardening demonstrations in the ‘potting shed theatre’. Essex Police will be behind a garden that aims to show how simple crime prevention measures could be incorporated into front and rear gardens. A ‘plant creche’ is available so visitors don’t have to lug their shopping around. ● August 3 to 7 (rhs.org.uk/ gardens/hyde-hall/rhs-gardenhyde-hall-flower-show)
Shrewsbury Flower Show
Recognised by the Guinness Book Of Records as the longest-running horticultural show in the world, the 135th Shrewsbury Flower Show will feature leading nurseries in its floral marquee, selling everything from sweet peas to Japanese maples.
Visitors to the 29-acre showground on the banks of the River Severn can also look forward to a vegetable-growing competition, floral displays and practical gardening demonstrations from experts. l August 12 to 13 (shrewsburyflowershow.org.uk)
Southport Flower Show
Launched in 1924 and held in the town’s Victoria Park, the show features a floral marquee stuffed full of specialist nurseries, show gardens, hundreds of trade exhibitors and a rural crafts marquee, along with plenty of things to keep the kids amused.
If you fancy a break from the gardening, drop in on the questionand-answer session with former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara. ● August 18 to 21 (southportflowershow.co.uk)